10 Things To Do In The Marina, San Francisco

There are a lot of beautiful neighborhoods in San Francisco, California – each with their own character, charm, and beauty. The Marina is one of the nicest areas. Here are 10 suggestions of what to do here.

Picnic At East Beach And West Bluffs

Crissy Field is the perfect place to spend a sunny day in San Francisco. Head over to East Beach or the West Bluffs and enjoy a beautiful day on the grass with friends and family. Right on the waterfront, this location offers views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Pacific Ocean, and an abundance of birds at Crissy Marsh for those bird watchers. Grab some food, or bring ingredients to make a yummy meal in the BBQ pits. Enjoy it as you watch the sunset from one of the best viewpoints.

Have A Beach Day At Crissy Field

If picnic tables aren’t exactly your thing, enjoy the day on the sand at the Crissy Field beach. This beach is a little smaller than most, but enough for a fun day by the water. Additionally, this location is special because it offers the view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands. Bring a few snacks, some music, and good company and you’ll have a wonderful day in the outdoors. Make sure to also keep an eye out for those hungry seagulls who will steal any food in sight.

Take A Walk Down Chestnut Street

One of San Francisco’s delightful streets, Chestnut runs through San Francisco, offering visitors an eclectic mix of shops.It is also known for its fun bars, hip restaurants and great window-shopping. Since half of Chestnut is a neighborhood full of classic San Franciscan apartments, you will find the street always busy with people running errands and meeting friends for a coffee. Some of the best restaurants include Delarosa and Tacolicious, both trendy with delicious food and always packed with people. Boutiques such as Brandy Melville and Urban Outfitters (for the younger crowd) and y&i are great stops for some quick shopping.

Explore Fort Point

This National Historic Site will leave you in awe of its views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Fort Point was built as a defense system from any possible naval attacks on California during the Gold Rush. Though it never faced an attack, ever since then, the fort has become a historical location for people to visit. Drive all the way past Crissy Field until you arrive at a parking lot right beneath the Golden Gate. Take some time to explore the buildings and the structure of the bridge from below, as they are breathtaking sites.

Jump At House Of Air

If you enjoy trampolines and doing crazy flips in the air, House of Air is the right place for you to go. House of Air is an indoor trampoline park located in the Presidio, more specifically in West Crissy Field. This is the place to go if you’re looking for a place to bring the kids, enjoy a fun day with friends or throw a birthday party. Play some trampoline basketball or dive into the ball pit. An hour is usually enough here, as most people get tired from jumping up and down nonstop. But it is sure to be an hour full of laughs and a great workout.

Visit The Food Trucks At Off The Grid

Known as the ‘roaming mobile food extravaganza’, Off the Grid prides itself in its delicious food. The food trucks make their way all around the Bay Area, and stop at the Ft. Mason Center every Friday night from 5 to 10pm. These food trucks offer an eclectic choice of gourmet foods from Mexican to Indian to Nepalese. It’s a great way to spend an evening in the city with friends, Off the Grid offers much more than food. Every event has music acts to keep the spirit lively and soulful as well as games and vendor booths.

Visit The Palace Of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts is one of San Francisco’s most monumental buildings. The structure is meant for art exhibitions and plays, but it has become a huge tourist attraction for people around the world. The Palace of Fine Arts is a beautiful place to take photographs, especially wedding photos for those soon-to-be newlyweds. Enjoy a nice walk around the lagoon, and you’ll be sure to experience a beautiful, traditional day in San Francisco.

Run In The Marina Green Park

If you’re looking for a great outdoors workout, the Marina is the place to run. With the bay and beautiful waterfront homes at your side, and all the passersby on the street, the run through the Marina is not only beautiful but entertaining. Don’t be afraid of being watched by everyone driving back, as there will be hundreds of other runners running next to you. Take a quick break on the grass and play with the Frisbees. Make sure to make it to the end of the Marina to find the outdoor fitness installment, which is sure to get you sweating.

Spend A Day At Pier 39

For the most classic San Francisco day a tourist can have, spend the day at the famous Pier 39. Pier 39 offers 90+ shops, 14 restaurants, and fun games for visitors. The pier allows people to see incredible views of the bay, including Alcatraz, the Bay Bridge, and the Golden Gate. Aside from its proximity to the Marina, it is only two blocks away from the Fisherman’s Wharf in the historic waterfront of San Francisco. There you can spend time checking out numerous restaurants and farmer’s markets. Don’t forget the sea lions that bark all day while they lounge in the sun.

Grab Dessert At Ghirardelli Square

Though it’s a little bit further away than all of the above locations, Ghirardelli Square is the ultimate tourist attraction. Even parking is a stereotypical San Francisco affair as it involves finding a spot on those wonderful hills that we all know and love. Once there, anyone can feel the diversity of each visitor from around the world. An array of desserts, from ice cream sundaes to banana splits are served, and are enormous. Be sure to go to the back of the store and see the chocolate machine. After dessert is finished, head down to the waterfront and walk through the hanging lights, if it’s nighttime.